Saturday, December 19, 2015

Early Farewell Sister Hamblin and Elder Brandon December 15-16, 2015

Two of our missionaries completed their missionary service and returned home two weeks earlier than the rest of their batch.  We are deeply grateful for Sister Hamblin and Elder Brandon for their dedicated work and love for the people of the Philippines Cauayan Mission.  "Til we meet again!"



Handkerchief and Tie
for the Missionary Quilt


Sharing insights to 
missionary success

Morning Farewells!
Elder Brandon, Elder Armstrong, Sister Hamblin, Sister Armstrong

Elder Brandon, Elder Leslie, Sister Hamblin

Last day picture with President and Sister Rahlf

At the airport and ready to go...
only the weather had other plans.  The flight was canceled to Manila.

But, great men live in Cauayan, and Brother Ed Delos Reyes drove our two missionaries
to Manila.  The rain was heavy and there was widespread flooding in Manila,
but by listening to the spirit, he got them safely there in time to make their flight back to America.

We love you Brother Ed!



Returned with Honor
Well done good and faithful servants!

Christmas Devotional Thursday December 17, 2015 Santiago North, Santiago South, Bambang and Solano Zones

The last of our Christmas Devotionals for 2015.

As with the other two, the morning was spent in the chapel with President Rahlf teaching in depth about the Christmas story.  He taught about the traditions of the time, about Zacharias and Elizabeth, about Joseph and Mary, about the journey to Bethlehem, about the manger and the shepherds and the star.  Sister Rahlf interspersed the morning with music and the story behind the songs: Joy to the World, Breath of Heaven, Hallelujah Chorus, Silent Night and The Innkeeper's Song. 

After the morning session, we gathered for lunch prepared by the wonderful Sister Uy.  We also celebrated birthdays and had a rousing rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with each table not only singing a verse, but acting it out.  We had some amazing--and very creative-- performances!


Then each zone drew a traditional Christmas song out of a hat, and then put on a skit based on that song.  They also had a bag of random items that had to be incorporated into the skit.  Lots of entertaining laughter followed.  You probably have no idea how talented your missionary is!


After the skits, we met again in the chapel for our closing session and testimonies.

A very memorable day.  Maligayang Pasko and Merry Christmas to all…



It's great to gather together--
reuniting with old friends
and making new ones.



Christmas Lunch prepared
by Nanay Maguiring makes us
very happy!


 









Singing our gratitude


Birthday Celebration
for October, November
and December birthdays

Lively and very creative
versions of "Twelve Days 
of Christmas…"
(I tried to get action shots, but 
most were blurry--Sorry!)
Four calling birds
11 Pipers Piping
And now, fine dramatic
performances by Zone…


"Jingle Bells" by Solano Zone

Solano Zone
Elders Bice, Capulac, Marano, Teikawea, Miague, Ishibashi, White, Acosta
Sisters Sanchez, Palemene, Ngakuru, Romerao, Romano, Abalos

"Deck the Halls" By Santiago South Zone

Santiago South Zone
Elders Salmorin, Busilac, Hardy, Reynolds, Tierata, Igleski, Galindo, Cabuenas
Sisters Dunn, Kibaimoa, Teabwabwa, Sapinoso, Balaoing, De Guzman, Albarico, Fjardo

"Frosty the Snowman" by Santiago North Zone

Santiago North Zone
Elders Warren and McCauley
Elders Howard, Santos, Einfeldt, Villalon, Rebojo, Llanda, Storrer, Claudio
Sisters Wiiri and Culis

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bambang Zone

Bambang Zone
Elders Lake and Walstad
Elders Canencia, Dalino, Reyes, Baquiran, Pandaog, Perkins
Sisters Hyde, Valdez, Acain, Esguerra

Grateful for these eternal
Missionary Friends!






The Long and the Short of it!

Pouch (mail) at the end of the
day...





And another day has been a memorable one!
We are so thankful to be serving together with these
amazing missionaries.  They bring the light of the gospel to this beautiful land
and people, and send it joyfully to their family and friends this Christmas season.
May you be filled with the spirit of Christmas.



"Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!  
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, 
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!"
                       Hark the Herald Angels Sing


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Christmas Devotional Thursday December 10 Burgos, Ilagan, Tuguegarao North and Tuguegarao South Zones


Christmas Devotionals 2015
We began our rounds of Christmas Devotionals on December 8th.  Our next Devotional was on December 10th with Burgos, Ilagan, Tuguegarao North and South Zones.   The morning was spent in the chapel with President Rahlf teaching in depth about the Christmas story.  He taught about the traditions of the time, about Zacharias and Elizabeth, about Joseph and Mary, about the journey to Bethlehem, about the manger and the shepherds and the star.  Sister Rahlf interspersed the morning with music and the story behind the songs: Joy to the World, Breath of Heaven, Hallelujah Chorus, Silent Night and The Innkeeper's Song. 

After the morning session, we gathered for lunch.  We also celebrated birthdays and had a rousing rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with each table not only singing a verse, but acting it out.  We had some amazing--and very creative-- performances!

Then each zone drew a traditional Christmas song out of a hat, and then put on a skit based on that song.  They also had a bag of random items that had to be incorporated into the skit.  Lots of entertaining laughter followed.  You probably have no idea how talented your missionary is!

After the skits, we met again in the chapel for our closing session and testimonies.
A very memorable day.  Maligayang Pasko and Merry Christmas to all...




Gathering for a wonderful
Christmas Devotional 



Lunch by the incomparable 
Brother Pete and his sweet wife, 
Maria Luisa.  You can tell we have
happy missionaries by the very 
contented looks...





And Christmas cake too!


Singing our thanks--


"We thank you for the food!"

Brother and Sister Christofferson

It's Birthday time for you!
Celebrating October-December birthdays


The singing of the Twelve Days of Christmas
beginning with "a partridge in a pear tree"
(you can tell, right?)
Six Geese a-laying!
Seven Swans a-swimming!
Ten Pipers Piping!
Time for Skit Entertainment
Tuguegarao North performing
their rendition of "Jingle Bells"

Tuguegarao North Zone
Back:  Elders Gumayao, Lott, Olson, Manalili
Middle:  Elders Palas, Atenocruz, Vane, Gatus, Munoz, De Ocampo
Front:  Sisters Stokes, Ragasa, Argonosa, Ferguson


Ilagan Zone and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Ilagan Zone
Back:  Elders Saguire, Briones, Sorilla, Bautista, Medeiros, Cloma
Middle:  Elders Espanto, Russell, Glassie, Pangalinan

Burgos Zone with a fabulous
"Deck the Halls"


Burgos Zone
Back:  Elders Enuake, Salazar, Hilario, Causing, Cantero, Sardido
Front:  Sisters DeGuzman, Aguanta, Mahinay, Sauder, Velasco, Fallejo



Tuguegarao South Zone
presents "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
Tuguegarao South Zone
Back:  Elders DeDios, Molate, Saez, Hamp, Pulley, King, Tolman, Feliciano, Vicente
Middle:  Elders Gerardo, Estuaria, Cebrerps, Sisters Turley, Golong, Elders Flores, Maloy
Front:  Sisters Earl, Flores, McBride, Acosta, Manosig, Garcia

And the Haka!


Love these missionaries!






A ride home at the end of a
very good day!


We had a wonderful day together in fun and sweetness of the spirit.  
It is truly special to be a missionary at Christmastime.
We send our warmest wishes and love to our family and friends...
May the light of Christ shine brightly for you.

"Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n.
Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come let us adore him; O come let us adore him; 
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord!"
                                                                    O Come All Ye Faithful